Remembering Hulk Hogans Best WWE Moments From a Legendary Body Slam to nWo

As the WWE Universe continues to mourn the death of one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling history, it's time to look back at some of the most definitively iconic moments in the career of the late Hulk Hogan.

Here are the moments that wrestling fans will always remember of the larger-than-life WWE Superstar.

Hulk Hogan body slams Andre the Giant

Trust us when we say that there was no bigger moment in wrestling up to this point. In a match billed as the Unstoppable Force versus the Immovable Object, all eyes were on Hogan and Andre the Giant as they faced off in the main event of WrestleMania III.

For many members of the WWE Universe, someone body slamming Andre the Giant just wasn't physically possible. Of course, Hulk Hogan had something to say about that theory, and successfully pulled off the body slam heard 'round the world before defeating Andre the Giant for the WWE Championship.

Of course, the way the match was filmed — in a decidedly cinematic fashion — helped make the slam even more memorable.

Technically, was this the first time Hogan had ever body slammed Andre? No. However, it was the first time the Hall of Famer did so on such a grand stage — and in the eyes of many fans, it's the only body slam that ever mattered.

Hulkamania is born at Madison Square Garden

On January 23, 1984, Hulk Hogan took his first steps toward immortality by battling Iron Sheik — the reigning WWE Champion — in Madison Square Garden.

While the match wasn't an all-time classic, the crowd response from inside MSG that evening told the real story. The WWE Universe was enamored by every move Hogan did, and absolutely erupted when he finally put Sheik's shoulders down for the three count. Fans were literally jumping out of their seats in happiness — and it's safe to say that this was the moment when Hulkamania was born.

From that moment on, Hogan would ride the wave of unbelievable crowd support en route to becoming arguably the most well-known WWE Superstar ever.

Hulk Hogan betrays the fans and forms the New World Order

Out of all of Hogan's championships, accomplishments, and pioneering, this historic moment that happened in World Championship Wrestling may overshadow anything the Superstar has ever done in WWE.

Of course, we're talking about Hogan turning his back on the fans after years of heroism and forming the New World Order at Bash at the Beach 1996:

Forget about John Cena's 2025 turn to the villainous side — Hulk Hogan will always be the OG of shocking fans in that department!

This moment led to the formation of the New World Order (nWo), a faction in wrestling that will stand the test of time as one of the most successful and popular bad-guy groups ever. And it's all thanks to Hulk Hogan.

Hulk Hogan is inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame

Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice in his career — once in 2005 and again in 2020 alongside Kevin Nash and Scott Hall as part of the New World Order. His first induction, however, stands the test of time. 

His speech encapsulated his entire career — and it was clear to everyone in attendance that Hogan had a deep sense of gratitude toward his fans over the years.

In words that are more poignant in 2025 than ever before, Hogan concluded the speech perfectly, placing his career and legacy in the proper perspective.

"At the end of the day, the WWE has the greatest athletes in the world, it's the greatest form of entertainment in the world," Hogan said. "And now, since they've inducted me into the Hall of Fame, Hulkamania will be immortal [and] Hulkamania will live forever."

Hulk Hogan battles The Rock at WrestleMania X-8

Any list of "Greatest WWE Matches Ever" must have this match included — it's that powerful, and a true spectacle to witness.

When Hulk Hogan and The Rock were set for a one-on-one match at WrestleMania X-8, fan expectations were through the roof. But it's testament to both Superstars that they took those expectations and obliterated them, delivering one of the most memorable matches in professional wrestling history.

Although Hogan had been playing a villain on WWE television for years up to that point, the nostalgia rush was too much for the WWE Universe that night. Hogan and Rock's roles were switched — the fans' constant cheering of Hogan and merciless booing of The Rock made for one of the most entertaining matches ever.

Even if you weren't — or had never been— a fan of Hulk Hogan, you were cheering him on that night like you were 10 years old all over again.